END OF LIFE CHOICE REFERENDUM
The Government elections are being held, at this stage, in September. The other referendum that we will have to vote on is the END OF LIFE CHOICE. This referendum will be binding, dependant upon the YES vote reaching 50% or more.
I am interested to get some idea of what people are thinking so here are some salient points to consider.
Don't depend on the polls, make your own choice.
To make sure what you are voting for here are 2 links that may be useful. referendum.govt.nz or eolc.org.nz/eolc-act
Don't be swayed by hearsay or others' opinions/bias, check for yourself how tightly limited and regulated the Act is in its final form.
The original Bill took many years going through select committee hearings then a full Govt. debate was passed by a cross-party majority when it became an Act. This is now embedded in law as an Act subject to the upcoming referendum. If a majority vote YES it will be binding on the new Govt.
This is an important issue although opinions are split, so it is timely to consider this referendum and familiarise yourself with the facts so you can make an informed vote.
NB. I am in no way associated with either side of this debate.
Poll: Is the increase in disability parking fines fair?
In October, the fine for parking in a designated mobility car park without a permit has jumped from $150 to $750—a 400% increase!
The goal is to keep these spaces open for those who truly need them. Do you think this big increase in the fine is fair? Share your thoughts below.
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89% Yes, it's fair
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10.3% No, it's unreasonable
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0.6% Other - I'll share below
Cyclists forced to use ‘more dangerous’ crossing if cycleway closed
Closing a Christchurch cycleway to avoid an unsafe rail crossing will lead cyclists across an even “more dangerous” crossing, cycling advocates say.
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has weighed in on the issue, calling the move to shut a 1.5km section of the Heathcote Expressway for up to two years, “illogical”. He has asked KiwiRail to explain.
KiwiRail is demanding Christchurch City Council close part of the expressway until $6.5 million worth of safety improvements can be made to the Scruttons Rd rail crossing.
It said the “unsafe” crossing posed the risk of death or serious injury once every thousand years.
What do you do think? Read the full story by reporters Sinead Gill and Tina Law here and tell us what you think in the comments. (A subscription is required, but you can see two free articles a month).
House fire causing road closures
Pages Road is closed this afternoon from Breezes Road, this is due to a house that has caught fire in the area.
Coastal Ward Community Board member, Alex Hewison, shared the closure on a local Facebook page.
Fire and Emergency are at the scene but further details have not been shared at this stage.
Avoid the area where possible.